Three college footballers named in ISL player draft

Mumbai lad Umesh Perambra, and Ajith Sivan and Akshay Joshy from Kerala have been drafted in the draft scheduled to be held in Mumbai on 23 July.

(From L to R): Ajith Sivan, Akshay Joshy and Umesh Perambra will feature in the ISL draft on Sunday.

Among the 199 players registered in the Hero Indian Super League 2017-18 Indian players draft, three college boys could go home as the biggest winners on the night if luck plays its part. The trio emerged from the ambitious Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) campus football championship and will be looking to walk among the elite.

Mumbai lad Umesh Perambra, and Ajith Sivan and Akshay Joshy from Kerala have been drafted in the draft scheduled to be held in Mumbai on 23 July.

The talented trio first caught the eye of AIFF scouts during RFYS championship finals in January 2017 and soon were invited for India U-23 selection camp for AFC Championship Qualifiers under Stephen Constantine in Mumbai.

Umesh Parembra, a central defender who played for Thakur College (Mumbai) was impressive at the back for his team as they made it to the RFYS College Finals this January. He is an attacking midfielder and will be keen to get an opportunity to horn his skills in ISL.

Young Akshay Joshy was spotted at RFYS representing his college Sacred Heart, Kochi while Ajith Sivan is the third college boy to sign for the draft. The midfielder stood out in the RFYS finals despite his Nirmala College – Kochi ending up on the losing side against Charuchandra College (Kolkata).

As the ISL Indian player draft would unfold on Sunday, it will be a day of anxiety for the friends and family members of the trio waiting with bated breaths.

Mrs. Sheela Joshy, Akshay’s mother is elated to see her son breaking into professional football. “As Keralites, we are really excited with Akshay getting this opportunity in the ISL draft. It’s a huge moment for us. Akshay has always dreamed of playing football – this is a proud moment for him and family to feature in the draft. We would love if Akshay gets picked by Kerala Blasters, but we will support any team that Akshay would get chance to play.”

Hero ISL 2017-18 player draft will witness a total of 15 rounds. The sequence for selection of player draft rounds for each club will be determined by a draw of lots on Saturday evening.